nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 1, 2015 12:22:54 GMT -8
Pulled the as-yet-untested fridge out of the Swiss in preparation for this years camping season in hopes of graduating from ice and coolers. Worked great on electricity, showing a frosty 20F on the coldest setting after only about 6 hours. After a good cleaning of the fins and burners, I reinstalled the unit and tried the gas. The pilot light sparked right up ( a bit terrifying that it is only a perforated tube that lights along like a gas grill burner and reaches back to the main burner) and the main burner fired right up after about 30 seconds of holding the thermocouple button. I was watching the main burner run and noticed the smell of unburned propane, so I sprayed the joints of the gas controls and found the combination gas shut off/electric switch leaking slightly. (see my thread in LP Systems for that repair) With the gas valve cleaned/repaired, I turned to repairing the door shelf and seals. The original molded plastic door shelving unit was broken in several places an the door seal was very stiff and mildew stained. As parts for this unit are no longer made, I deciced to improvise to replace the failed components. I purchased a small sheet of 3/16" thick white plastic from a sign shop and found a generic 4-piece door seal kit that matched the profile of my original seal at a local appliance repair supplyhouse. I cut the plastic to the same outside dimensions as the original molded piece and fit the new seals (which come as 4 sections of straight seal with pre-mitred and joined corners) after trimming them to length. I drilled pilot holes through the seal and plastic and attached them with small stainless button-head screws. Works like a charm. I am now looking for a couple of small shelves/baskets to attach to the plastic panel.
Pictures to come........
Cheers, Nick
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Post by vikx on May 1, 2015 22:02:17 GMT -8
Thank you Nick, looking forward to pix!
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 6, 2015 16:52:51 GMT -8
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 6, 2015 16:53:39 GMT -8
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 6, 2015 16:54:45 GMT -8
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 6, 2015 16:56:00 GMT -8
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 6, 2015 16:56:44 GMT -8
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 6, 2015 16:59:08 GMT -8
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 6, 2015 17:07:48 GMT -8
I had to notch the corners of the plastic panel to make room for the melted plastic in the mitered corners of the seals. I cut each section of magnet to overlap or accept the opposite section. The screws didn't end up catching enough of the flange of the door, (the original seal design allowed the scews to be directly under the magnet) so I ended up sealing the new panel to the door with a bead of RTV on the back side of the perimeter of the seal... ugh.... didn't feel like starting over.
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Post by vikx on May 6, 2015 21:10:53 GMT -8
Good job and thanks for sharing!
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nickp178
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Post by nickp178 on May 18, 2015 7:01:59 GMT -8
Thanks, vikx, it came out pretty decent. My wife found two clear plastic tubs that will fit on the door perfectly, and I got a couple of nice door catch/latches to replace the original aluminum bracket thingy to keep the door closed. I will post some update pictures soon.
Only issue I'm having now is that it doesn't want to cool on LP (works great on 120v). I cleaned the burner orifice and made sure the trailer was very level, but no real change. The flame looks good, but after some research I'm leaning towards replacing the regulator, as it is original as far as I know. Any body got any other hints??
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Post by vikx on May 20, 2015 22:49:34 GMT -8
There should be a baffle in the chimney. Access is at the top of the fridge. Remove the roof vent (hopefully there). You will see a little piece of wire hooked into the chimney flue. Grab that and move up and down to dislodge rust and debris. It's helpful to have a helper with a vacuum at the burner. I've blown air up thru the chimney and around the burner; it's really improved performance.
Also check air flow. Intake at the bottom must be clear.
You could be correct about the regulator. Sometimes, there is oil in the lines which can contaminate every valve in the system. (fridge, stove, heater)
Oh, and if someone has removed the baffle, that does not make for good heat on LP...
Let us know the results.
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